Photosensitive apparatus



May 27, 1941. c. CHILOWSKY PHOTOSENSITIVE APPARATUS Filed Jan. 9, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l .fivenzorx- B7 Mu W Abbrneays May 27, 1941. c. CHILOWSKY 2, 43,596

PI-Ib'rosENsI'rIvB APPARATUS Filed Jan. 9, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J/ r Tr j Ihwenfirv- X Mr W y 1941- c. CHILOWSKY 2,243,596

PHOTOSENSITIVE APPARATUS Filed Jan. 9, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 27, 1941. c. CHILOWSKY 2,243,596

PHOTOSENSITIVE APPARATUS Filed Jan. 9, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor:- L a I flummr W Altornqys Patented May 27, 1941 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE Application January 9, 1939, Serial No. 250,020 In France September 7, 1935 26 Claims.

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus of the type described in my French patent No. 795,681, of Sept 7, 1935, concerning photo-relay apparatus bmed upon the catalytic action of light upon a mixtureof chlorine and hydrogen produced in the apparatus by electrolysis of a suitable solution.

The present application is a continuation in part of my U. S. patent application Serial No. 40,657 filed Sept. 14, 1935, Patent No. 2,150,050 issued March 7, 1939.

In these applications I described pivotable balance-like apparatus including two communicating chambers .partly filled with an electrolytic liquid capable of disengaging, under the efiect of electrolysis, chlorine and hydrogen. This apparatus is fixed on a pivoting axis in such manner as to be able to swing on one side or the other according to the displacement of the liquid between these two chambers. The displacement of the liquid between the two chambers is obtained as a conseqence of the variations of pressure and volume of the above mentioned gases resulting from the chemical reactions produced by the catalytic action of light on said gases.

The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of this kind which is better adapted to meet the requirements of practice, and especially with a view to obtaining the automatic control of the electric lighting apparatus in response to variations of the surrounding light.

According to an important feature of the present invention, I produce in these communicating chambers, which contain the electrolytic liquid (for instance a solution of alkaline or alkaliearth metal chlorides acidulated by means of hydrochloric acid) a gaseous disengagement which is essentially dissymmetrical in one of the chambers with respect to the other.

Owing to this dissymmetry of electrolysis (which may be possibly combined with a dissymmetry of illumination of the two chambers) the sensitiveness' of the pivoting system becomes much higher and the amplitude of oscillation is greatly increased.

According to the cases and the applications that are considered, this dissymmetry of electrolysis may assume two distinct forms. In one, the intensity of the electrolytic current is higher in one compartment or chamber than in the other, but each chamber receives a current flowing from the anode to the cathode, the gaseous volume of chlorine in the chambers being equal to the volume of hydrogen, respectively in each chamber, whereby the apparatus necessarily includes, as a whole, two anodes and two cathodes. In most cases, I combine with this dissymmetry of electrolysis (which will be hereinafter called external" dissymmetry) a dissymmetry of illumination of the two chambers, and, in particular, a dissymmetry in the variation of illumination of the two chambers, which means that the ratio of illumination of the two chambers does not remain constant, but varies with the intensity of illumination. This case will be, for instance, produced when one of the chambers is illuminated by means of a light of constant intensity, and the other chamber by the variable light to be controlled.

In the second form of dissymmetry oi electrolysis according to the invention, which is called intemal disymmetry, the voluminal amount of hydrogen in one of the chambers, which will be called the active chamber is greater than the voluminal amount of chlorine disengaged in the same chamber. In the second chamber, called passive" chamber, the amount of chlorine will be greater than the amount of hydrogen (the amount of this last mentioned gas, to wit, hydrogen, disengaged in the passive chamber being even, in most cases, equal to zero, or at least very low). Of course, the total volume of hydrogen disengaged in the whole of the apparatus will be always equal to the volume of chlorine developed according to the laws of electrolysis. It is clear that, in this second form of dissymmetry of electrolysis, at least a part of the electrolytic current necessarily flows through the conduit which connects the two chambers.

In the case of this so-called internal dissymmetry of electrolysis, the two chambers can be, without any drawback, exposed to an equal or unequal illumination. In this latter case, the ratio of luminosity may remain constant or it may be variable when the luminous intensity varies. In particular, both of the compartments are exposed to the action of the surrounding light with a view, for instance of an automatic lighting of electric lamps as a function of the surrounding light. The active chamber is preferably exposed to the full action of the surrounding light. The passive chamber, which must be exposed either to. the same luminous intensity or merely to a portion of said intensity therefore cooperates in a differential manner.

Owing to this internal dissymmetry of electrolysis in the respective chambers, the pivoting of the apparatus as a function of variations of the surrounding luminosity becomes more regular and greater and develops over. longer scales of surrounding luminosity. As a matter of fact, this internal dissymmetry of the electrolysis in the respective chambers creates between said chambers a difierence of specific sensitivity to the catalytic action of light, which increases the sensitiveness of the apparatus and the safety of its operation, especially in connection with the diflerences of solubility of the gases in the liquid.

As above mentioned, according to the invention, (and this is a particularly important feature of my invention) this dissymmetry is made as high as possible by producing in the so-called passive" chamber only chlorine and in the socalled active chamber hydrogen and chlorine, chlorine being thus produced in both chambers by means of the electrodes connected in shunt with the anode of the battery, hydrogen being produced by the cathode, only in the active chamber. In this case, the apparatus will include only three electrodes, that is to say two anodes and one cathode.

Also, according to a feature of the invention, I provide between the two chambers a rapid diffusion of chlorine from one chamber to the other, and thi whatever be the shape and dimensions of the apparatus, although some shapes and dimensions are more advantageous from this point of view. I may also advantageously obtain this rapid diffusion of chlorine from one chamber to the other by establishing and maintaining between the two chambers a continuous exchange of liquid through a regular circulation thereof. This circulation in a closed circuit is maintained, according to the invention, by the driving of liquid through gas bubbls disengaged by the electrolytic action, but it can also be maintained through other known means.

Owing to this constant production of chlorine alone in the passive chamber, the chlorine of this chamber can never be wholly dissolved and absorbed by the liquid in this chamber, which elimi nates any risk of the apparatus being unprimed.

On the other hand, owing to the constant circulation of the liquid and to a rapid diflusion of chlorine, the latter cannot accumulate in the passive chamber and create therein counterpress ures which are detrimental to the sensitiveness of the apparatus.

In some cases, the dissymmetryof the apparatus as to electrolytic dissymmetry can be so great that only chlorine is disengaged in the passive chamber and only hydrogen in the active chamber, chlorine being subsequently conveyed by the liquid to the active chamber. It will be readily understood that, in this case, it suffices to provide a single electrode in each chamber. It is clear that it is necessary to ensure, in this particular case, a quick circulation of the liquid.

However, the disengagement of chlorine alone in the passive chamber and of chlorine and hydrogen in the active chamber, combined with the maintaining of the circulation of the liquid and the rapid diflfusion of chlorine between the chambers, remains the essential feature of the invention.

Owing to the presence of chlorine alone, without hydrogen, in the passive chamber and to the relatively high solubility of this gas in the electrolytic liquid, the transfer of chlorine from one chamber to the other, necessary for the satisfactory working of the apparatus, can take place with relatively low variations of pressure.

On the other hand, according to the invention the apparatus works under a depression (with reference to atmospheric pressure) relatively considerable, the pressure being for instance as low as one tenth of one atmosphere, and even less, taking advantage of the fact that the hydrostatic difference of pressure, suflicient for the transfer of liquid from one chamber to the other, generally averages some centimeters of water, contrary to what takes place with apparatus having an elastic membrane or a manometric member requiring a much higher pressure. This depression is obtained by closing the apparatus to this chlorine depression. The working under reduced pressure also has the considerable advantage of permitting of reducing the intensity of the electric current necessary for the operation of the apparatus (the same current producing, under a reduced pressure a volume which is greater) or of increasing the quickness of operation.

Also, according to a feature of the present invention, one of the two chambers is constantly subjected to the illumination of a small uniform artificial source of light, the other chamber being subjected to the action of the variations of the surrounding light or of another artificial light to be controlled. In this case, I make use of the type of apparatus in which electrolysis takes place in both of the chambers and chlorine and hydrogen are disengaged in both of said chambers. Of course, the intensity of the electrolytic current can be different in the two respective chambers, the volumes of chlorine and hydrogen being, according as the case may be, either equal or different in the two chambers, respectively. The apparatus works and pivots under the action of the difi'erence between the luminosity of said small artificial source of light on the one hand and that of the other source, or surrounding light, to be controlled, on the other hand.

On the other hand, in order to avoid the necessity of bringing into play relatively important mechanical forces and also the necessity of having considerable differences of liquid level between the communicating chambers, for producing a pivoting intended to make or break the electric current, according to a feature of the present invention, the breaking of the electric current, instead of being controlled by a device such as a mercury switch acting when the apparatus has pivoted, is obtained merely by cutting off the continuity of liquid in the system, the current being cut off by the fact that the cathode or cathodes is, or are, no longer connected to the anode or anodes through the liquid mass. This result can be-obtained in different manners.

According to a particular embodiment, one of the electrodes, and in particular the cathode which produces the disengagement of hydrogen, is arranged in such manner that it dips from the top in the electrolytic liquid, penetrating into the liquid mass to a predetermined depth in 'such manner that when, under the action of a long period of obscurity, the gases disengaged by electrolysis cause a downward displacement of the liquid level in the chamber (the active chamber in the case that is considered) the cathode ceases to be immersed in the liquid, being no longer in contact therewith and thus cutting oil the current. The contact is again made when the liquid level rises slightly in this chamber under the action of light.

Another arrangement based upon the same principle consists in devising the bottom of the chamber in which the electrode is positioned in such manner that this electrode, while being still immersed in the electrolytic liquid, no longer communicates with the remainder of the liquid mass. This result can be obtained by forming on the bottom of the chamber a kind of ridge which divides the mass of liquid into two parts and thus insulates the liquid in which the cathode is immersed from the liquid in which the anode or anodes is, or are, immersed.

It will be readily understood that. with the above mentioned arrangements, or with analogous arrangements, the automatic regulation of the electrolytic current is obtained in an extreme- 1y simple manner under the effect of very small variations of level, and, what is important, even without these variations producing the tipping over of the apparatus.

Furthermore, as above explained, it is important, in order to ensure the good working of the apparatus, to produce a positive circulation of the liquid in a closed circuit between the two chambers. The means above stated permit of obtaining a certain flow of the liquid under the effect of the gaseous bubbles disengaged by the electrolytic action. However, this flow is governed, as a function of the amount of gases produced, by complex laws which depend upon several more or less fortuitous circumstances.

I have found that it is advantageous, for obtaining a perfect working of the apparatus, to produce such a circulation that the amount of electrolytic liquid that is driven per second is directly proportional to the amount of gases disengaged by electrolysis. In order to obtain this result,- according to the present invention, I positively produce a discontinuous flow of the liquid in the manner above stated.

For this purpose, I prevent the gaseous masses from passing, as they are being formed, through the liquid mass, and, on the contrary, I permit the accumulation of these elementary bubbles in such manner as to form bubbles of such a size that, when they pass, they occupy practically the whole of the section of the communication conduits and drive the liquid before them in a positive manner.

A particular means of obtaining this result consists in forming, in one of the communication conduits running between the chambers, a bend connected to one of the vessels, for instance the active chamber, through an inclined and upward tube, the anode which produces the disengagement of chlorine being placed in this bend. In this way, once the bend is filled with gas and the gas keeps being disengaged, the gaseous column is pushed back along the inclined upward conduit and thus passes over the whole length of this conduit to the chamber that is considered, pushing before itself the whole column of liquid which fills the tube.

Other features of the present invention will be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, given merely by way of example, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus provided with two communication tubes extending between the two vessels or chambers:

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the same ap- W Fig. 3 shows the diagram of assembly of the system of Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 shows asimplified device including a single tube;

Fig. 5 shows a modification of the device of 1'18. 4;

toward the right or toward the left.

t 6 shows a modification with a straight Fig. 6a shows another modification with straight tube:

Fig. 7 shows an embodiment with a constant artificial illumination of one of the two cham hers;

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of a measurement apparatus with a single tube which is substantially circular;

Pig. 9 is a lateral view of an apparatus made according to another embodiment;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the whole of this apparatus;

Fig. 11 shows a detail of construction; t1Fig. 12 is a partial view showing a modifica- Fig. 13 shows the arrangement of the bend in one of the communication conduits;

Fig. 14 shows a detail of the construction of this tube;

11g. 15 shows a particular arrangement which permits of breaking the liquid continuity of the system;

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic view of a simple embodiment of the invention.

In Fig. 16, I have shown an apparatus consisting of two chambers I22 and I24, communicating together through a tube I25, the whole of these parts being adapted to pivot about an axis I2I. The apparatus further includes a pivoting mercury switch I20, of any suitable type, or an equivalent contacting device. In one of the chambers, for instance chamber I22, or in both chambers (in the case of a diiferential apparatus) there are provided two electrodes I23 and I23, in such manner as to produce photosensitive gases in the manner above described.

According to the value of the light intensity, the amount of liquid in chamber I22 varies in such manner as to be able to become greater or smaller than the amount of liquid in chamber I24. The system, acting as a balance, oscillates The mercury switch includes a central current load I43 and output terminals located in small cups I21 and I26, respectively. Consequently, when the system is pivoted in one direction or the other, the circuit is closed between terminal I43 and one of the terminals I44 or I45.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, I have shown two tubular vessels, I and 2, of glass, in which the disengagement of the gases produced by the electrolysis takes place. These vessels are connected together through two parallel glass tubes 3 and 4. Reference numerals 5, 6, I and 8 show the vertical portions of tubes 3 and 4, pref erably welded to the bottom parts of vessels I and 2.

In Fig. 2, reference numeral I designates the vessel on the left of Fig. 1, seen laterally with its communication tube 4 which leads through its vertical portion Ii to this vessel. Reference numeral 2 designates the vessel on the right of Fig. l, but shown with the right hand part of its communication tube 3 and with the vertical portion 1 of this tube 3 leading to the right hand side vessel 2. In the left bend of tube 4 or in the vertical portion 6 of this tube are welded two electrodes III and 9. In the right bend of tube 3 or in the vertical portion I, there is welded an electrode II. Reference numeral I3 designates the support of the apparatus. I4 is the pivoting axis fixed in this support with the axis points or ends I5. I6 is a pivoting switch of the mercury type with three contacts I'I, I8 and Ill. The mercury is shown at 20. The pivoting axis of the apparatus is preferably located close to the center of gravity of the. apparatus.

Fig. 3 diagrammatically shows the electric mounting of the apparatus. In this embodiment, 2I is a battery or other source of continuous current; 22 is the resistance which controls the electrolytic current through the anode 9 of tube 4 and 23 is the resistance controlling the current through the anode II of tube 3; 24 is a lamp inserted in the utilization circuit, controlled through the two contacts I8 and I9 of switch IS; the electrolytic current flowing through battery 2|, cathode III and the two anodes 9 and I I are controlled through contacts I! and I8 of the same switch IS.

The working of this apparatus takes place in the following manner:

Chamber I is that in which the mixture of chlorine and hydrogen is produced by electrolysis. On the contrary, in vessel 2, only chlorine is produced by anode II.

The proportion of chlorine distributed between I and 2 by anodes 9 and II is adjustedthrough resistances 22 and 23. The so-called active chamber is that with which light is to cooperate for the control of said light. Chamber 2 may be exposed to the action of the same light, or, if desired, merely to a small portion of this light or to any other light capable, through its catalytic action, of eliminating the small amounts of hydrogen which may diffuse or be driven along into this chamber.

Resistances 22 and 23 are adjusted in such manner that the combined effect of the disengagement of chlorine by I I and of the liquid circulation which drives by dissolution chlorine from 2 to I has for its effect to maintain between I and 2 the ratio of partial pressure of chlorine to a value averaging 1/2, which ensures the maximum of sensitiveness.

Under these conditions, the distribution of liquid between I and 2 is a function, approximately,

' of the partial volume of hydrogen in I, which is itself a function of the intensity of the light that strikes vessel I.

The normal working of the apparatus corresponds to the final presence in I of equal volumes of chlorine and hydrogen, and consequently of a partial pressure of chlorine in I which is one half of that in 2, where only chlorine is present. In order to compensate for the natural diffusion of chlorine from 2 to I under the effect of this difference of partial pressure, I disengage from I constantly an excess of chlorine. I maintain the circulation of the liquid so as to obtain a controllable regularity in this transfer of chlorine from 2 to I.

The chlorine and hydrogen gases produced by electrodes 9 and III at I, when ascending in the vertical portion 6 of the tube system, mechanically drive liquid in the direction indicated by the arrow (Figs. 1 and 2). Accordingly, the liquid circulates through pipe 3 in the direction opposed to that indicated by the arrow. This circulation in a closed circuit is further facilitated by the ascending chlorine bubbles disengaged by anode II in the vertical straight portion 1 of tube 3.

A relatively rapid exchange is thus produced between chambers I and 2'.

Under the action or a strong luminosity, the gaseous mixture of chlorine and hydrogen disengaged at I combine into hydrochloric acid which is quickly absorbed by the liquid. The gaseous volume in I decreases. On the contrary, and due to the depression or suction thus produced accompanied by partial disengagements of chlorine from the liquid, the volume of chlorine at 2 tends to increase. The difl'erence of level of liquid, that is thus created causes the apparatus to pivot on the left hand side. Mercury 20, present in switch I6, is moved toward the left and keeps in the closed state the contacts I1 and II which control the electrolytic current itself. On the contrary, the mercury drop has left the contact IQ of the utilization current and lamp 2 remains switched off. When the night falls, the speed of reaction at I decreases, the volume of the gases increases, a portion of the liquid passes from I to 2, the apparatus comes back into straight position, the drop of mercury covers the three contacts II, I8 and I9, and lamp 2! is switched on. If the darkness increases and remains, the apparatus further pivots on the right hand side until the drop of mercury leaves contact I1, and the electrolytic current is cut oflf.

The volume at I can no longer increase and the liquid circulation simultaneously ceases. When dawn occurs, the volume of gases at I decreases, the pivoting takes place in the opposite direction, and lamp 24 is switched off, and so on.

As above explained, the quantity of chlorine alone that is disengaged by the third electrode in the passive chamber can vary within side limits, according to the shapes of the apparatus, their sizes, their sensitiveness, and so on, and this from a small portion for instance A, of the total amount of chlorine that is disengaged by electrolysis as far as the whole of the chlorine which would, in this case, be disengaged only in the passive chamber (this especially when the apparatus is adjusted for working in a considerable darkness).

Simplified embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention are shown by Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 6a.

According to Fig. 4, the apparatus is constituted by a mere glass tube 25 curved into a V shape so as to form two branches 26 and 21 connected together by a passage of large section filled with liquid. The tube is sufliciently short and the sectionis sufilciently large for ensuring that the diffusion of the gases through the liquid takes place by itself rather quickly. The electrodes 9, III and I I disposed near the median section produce, under the efl'ect of the flow produced by the movement of the gaseous bubbles, currents and convection eddies which are sumcient for facilitating and accelerating the exchange of chlorine.

The apparatus can be mounted pivotable about the axis of pivot I4I5, fixed for instance in the metal sheet support 28.

Fig. 5 shows a modification in which the V tube 25 with its branches 26 and 21 is completed by a U tube of smaller section 29, in one of the upward branches of which takes place the gaseous disengagement which produces the flow of the liquid. The anode II is located in the opposed branch of the large tube 25.

Fig. 6 shows an apparatus with a straight horizontal tube 30 with' a section of reduced size 3| at the center, the communication between the two branches of the tube taking place merely in the lower part of this section. The two branches can be connected together through a circulation tube 29a in one of the branches of which electrolysis takes place, the third electrode ll beingflxed'intheuppertubeil.

l'ig. shows amodiiicationoitheaboveapparatus, in which the supplementary circulation tube lloisdispensedwith. Inordertoensure. however, a suilcient flow of the liquid between thetwosidesoithestraighttubedt willbeadvantageous to provide below partition ll or the likeafiaringfloithe tube thatcontains the electrodes. This embodiment has the further advantage that the electrodes are located at the lowest poinb of tube 8. and are therefore practically always covered with the liquid.

course, instead of providing a partition II in the middle part of tube 3|, I might quite as simply reduce the section of this tube from the D- Flg. 7 diagrammatically shows an apparatus in which electrolysis takes place in the two chambers l and 2 even in a symmetrical form, that is to say with equal volumes oi chlorine and hydrogen for each vessel separately (or eventually also in a dissymmetrical form) but in which one of the vssels 2 is constantly illuminated solely by a constant light which is generally low (a small incandescence lamp 3!, a neon lamp, a rare gas tube, and so on) and the other vessel I is exposed to the action of the light to be controlled (ior instance the surrounding light or any other one). When the electrolysis is symmetrical and when the electric currents in the two vessels l and 2 are equal, it is clear that, as long as the catalytic action oi the light to be controlled is greater than that of the small lamp 32, the apparatus will tilt in one direction. It will tilt in the opposed direction it the catalytic action of the light to be controlled becomes weaker than that of the small lamp 32.

In the apparatus above described, I make use, as a rule, of mercury switches, but, of course, these apparatus may be replaced, especially for low power apparatus, by suitable sets of simple metallic contacts called dry contacts. On the contrary, with suitable arrangements of the apparatus, it is possible to operate mercury switches of relatively high power, for instance of several kilowatts or even of several tens oi. kilowatts.

According to the present invention, I apply the apparatus above described, not only to the closing and the opening oi electric contacts but also to the control and measurement of light. For this purpose, the tilting apparatus is provided with an indicating needle fixed to the pivoting axis and which shows on a dial the momentaneous inclination of the apparatus and, for instance, the state of the surrounding luminosity.

In the case of a measurement apparatus, the arrangement of Fig. 8 can be adopted. In this embodiment of my invention, tube 33, which contains the electrolytic liquid is of substantially circular or annular shape and rotates about an axis according to the changing position of the column 01 liquid. This axis, which also carries the needle 34, is for instance located at the geometric center of the system which preferably coincides with the center of gravity of the apparatus when it is not still filled with liquid.

On the other hand, I preferably fit on the pivoting support i3 of the apparatus the difierent light elements of the system, such as the small resistances which adjust the electrolytic current, the potentiometer, and so on, in such manner as to reduce to a minimum the flexible wires which connect the pivoting system to the stationary part of the apparatus.

The apparatus above described may have, according to their type. their construction and their size, diflerent thermic coefllcients.

In the case of particularly precise apparatus, I eilect a compensation of this thermic coeillcient by the choice of suitable proportions of the chlorine disengaged in the active and passive chambers.

0n the other hand, for the same purpose, I make use of electric resistances which vary considerably when the temperature varies, by obtaining, by means of these resistances, variations, in accordance with the surrounding temperature, of said electric currents or 0! their proportions in the two chambers.

When the apparatus is to be definitively fitted in position, it is advisable to make sure, by a pivoting oi the apparatus through an angle of 90, that the whole oi the liquid collects in the active chamber, so as to avoid the contrary extreme case, in which the whole of the liquid would he, accidentally, contained in the passive compartment. In the latter case the electrolytic current might be cut of! entirely until the apparatus could be tilted to get at least some or the liquid in the active chamber as a "primer" permitting the start 01 electrolysis.

In order to avoid this, and to eliminate this tilting operation, I may introduce, between contacts I1 and I. (Fig. 3) a very big resistance in such manner as to keep a low electrolytic current through the apparatus even in the case of extreme inclination (toward the right according to Fig. 3) this arrangement being similar to that described in my Patent No. 2,153,456, dated April 4, 1939.

The insertion of this resistance, even of a still higher value, is advised and provided even independently oi the purpose above mentioned (in order to preserve the electrodes) in such manner as constantly to keep on the electrodes a sufllcient electric potential which prevents them from being attacked, as fully set forth in the patent just mentioned.

In some cases, it may be useful, in order to avoid an unpriming of the apparatus, to provide for a small disengagement oi hydrogen in the socalled passive chamber, which however remains very low as compared to the disengagement of chlorine.

In the apparatus illustrated by Figs. 1 to So and 8, I might then provide four electrodes instead of two or three electrodes.

In Figs. 9 and 10, I have shown, at I, the active vessel and, at 2, the passive vessel of the apparatus. These two vessels are connected together by two tubes 3 and 4, which permit oi establishing a liquid circulation between the two vessels or chambers. Fig. 9 shows the left part of tube 4 and the right part of tube 3. Mercury switch l6 includes, in this embodiment, only two contacts, l8 and I9, which permit of closing, through the medium of a drop 01' mercury 20, the working current fed by battery 2| and passing through the utilization lamp 24. The anode 9, which disengages chlorine, is placed in the left upward branch of tube 4, the second anode ii of the passive vessel being placed in the right upward branch of tube 3. The circulation in a closed vessel of the liquid between chambers l and 2 is maintained by the chlorine disengaged by anodes O-and ll. Cathode I0 is immersed, in this embodiment, from the top into the electrolytic liquid. It is fitted or welded on the inside of a.

glass part Illa and'is connected with battery 2| through conductor Ho.

The distribution of the current between electrodes 9 and II is adjusted through resistances 22 and 23. I have shown at I3 a support which connected together switch It and tubes 3 and l, in such manner as to form a rigid whole capable of pivoting about axis I4 one of the ends of which is visible at 15.

It is clear that, with this embodiment of the invention, it suflices to have the liquid level to drop sufliciently in the active chamber I for cut ting off the liquid continuity between the oathode and the anodes, and thus breaking the electrolytic current.

In Fig. 11, I have shown a modification of the active vessel I, in which two pockets Ia and lb, formed in the bottom of the vessel, remain always filled with a reserve of liquid even when the level of said liquid has dropped suiiiciently for breaking the connection or contact with cathode lIl. Owing to this reserve of liquid, the absorption of the hydrochloric acid that is formed can keep taking place in a sufficient manner even when the main mass of liquid has flown down through tubes 3 and 4. In this way, when the liquid rises toward electrode III, the liquid circulation is ready to start anew.

In the modification illustrated by Fig. 12, the same result is obtained through a different construction. In this embodiment, tubes 3 and 4 project into vessel I, in such manner as to extend above the bottom of said vessel.

In Fig. 15, the liquid continuity between cathode III and anodes 9 and II is cut oif in a different manner.

In this embodiment, cathode I is placed in the part 25 of the bottom of vessel I that is separated from the remainder of this bottom by a ridge 26. Therefore, when the liquid level drops sufliciently in vessel I, the mass of the main liquid is separated from the part of this mass which fills the part 25 of the bottom of the vessel and cathode III, while remaining immersed in the liquid is no longer in liquid communication with anodes 9 and II.

In Fig. 13, I have shown an embodiment which permits of positively ensuring a circulation of liquid through the system, in this embodiment, the two chambers are shown at I and 2, the cathode at I0 and the two anodes at 9 and II. Anode -9 is located in the lower part of a bend formed in branch 4, establishing a communication between chambers I and 2. The second branch of communication 3 is horizontal, as shown in dotted lines on the drawings.

With this arrangement, the amount of chlorine disengaged by anode 9 gradually fills bend 4a until, the amount of gas further increasing, the gaseous column is pushed back into conduit 4. Owing to the inclined upward position of this conduit, the gaseous column moves upwardly toward chamber I, driving before it the whole of the liquid column which fills this tube. After this, the gases again gradually fill bend 4a and the how of liquid is temporarily stopped until the gaseous mass is again sufiiciently big for being pushed up through the conduit, driving before it the liquid column in the direction of the arrow of Fig. 13.

As above indicated, in this case, the second anode II can be placed on the inside of the passive vessel 2.

However, this embodiment may involve some drawbacks due to the fact that small chlorine bubbles can however pass through conduit 4 across the mass of liquid. In order to prevent such a partial circulation of the gases, according to a modification, bend 4a is completed by a throttled portion, as shown at b on Fig. 14. Beyond this throttled portion, tube 4 is of normal section and constitutes the branch running upwardly toward the active vessel I. Owing to the presence of this throttled portion, the gases accumulate in bend la, the capillary force of the liquid preventing small bubbles from passing across the liquid mass before the force of the gases becomes sufllcient. Once the hydrostatic pressure has become suliiciently high, the liquid is driven upwardly and the whole column of gas passes through conduit 4, pushing the liquid column before it. The throttled portion 4b may be arranged vertically, but, preferably, it is arranged horizontally as shown by Fig. 14. Mg. 14 further shows, in addition to the throttled portion 4b, another arrangement which consists in slightly prolonging upwardly, above throttled portion 4b, the upper part of bend la, in such manner that the small bubbles accumulate first in this part 40 and have no tendency to force the passage through throttled portion lb. Owing to this arrangement, it is possible, for practical purposes, to ensure, in a perfect manner, an intermittent and positively controlled circulation of th liquid through the system.

Of course, the features above disclosed may be combined, according to the present invention, and, in particular, I may combine, in a single apparatus, the means for cutting off the electrolytic current by creating a discontinuity of the liquid mass between the cathode and the anode and the means for positively driving in a discontinuous manner liquid masses proportional to the amounts of chlorine disengaged.

In a general manner, while I have, in the above description, disclosed what I deem to be practical and efiicient embodiments of the present invention it should be well understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto as ther might be changes made in the arrangement, disposition and form of the parts without departing from the principle of the present invention as comprehended within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An apparatus of the type described which comprises, in combination, a gravity balanced system including at least one vessel containing a closed reaction chamber of variable volume, a liquid in said chamber capable of being electrolytically transformed into at least two gases, an electrolytic circuit including two electrodes extending in said chamber and at least partly immersed in said liquid, for continuously transforming said liquid into said gases, said gases be ing so chosen that light falling thereon shall cause a reduction of the whole volume of said system of liquid and gases, means for permitting light to act on said gases in said chamber, and means, operative by variations of pressure and volume of said gases, for modifying the gravitational equilibrium'of said system.

2. An apparatus of the type described, which comprises, in combination, a hollow structure forming at least two reaction chambers, at least one of which is adapted to undergo the action of light variations, the lower parts of said chambers communicating together, a liquid in the lower parts of said chambers capable of disenengaging, under the eflect of an electrolytic current flowing therethrough, two gases such that light flowing upon a mixture of said gases causes then to combine and dissolve into said liquid, and electrolytic means, including at least one electrode in one of said chambers and at least one electrode in the other chamber, for disengaging said gases in said respective chambers, said structure being pivoted as a whole about a non-vertical axis intermediate between said chambers, whereby variations of pressure of the gases in said chambers modify the equilibrium of said structure about said axis.

3. An apparatus of the type described, which comprises, in combination, a hollow structure forming at least two reaction chambers, at least one of which is adapted to undergo the action of light variations, the lower parts of said chambers communicating together. a liquid in the lower parts of said chambers capable of disengaging, under the effect of an electrolytic current flowing therethrough, two gases such that light flowing upon a mixture of said gases causes them to combine and dissolve into said liquid, and electrolytic means, including at least one electrode in one of said chambers and at least one electrode in the other chamber, for disengaging said gases in a dissymmetrlc manner in said respective chambers, said structure being pivoted as a whole about a non-vertical axis intermediate between said vessels, whereby variations of pressure of the gases in said chambers modify the equilibrium of said structure about said axis.

4. An apparatus of the type described, which comprises, in combination, a hollow structure including two vessels containing each a reaction chamber, at least one of said chambers being adapted to undergo the action of light variations, and at least one conduit between said vessels interconnecting the lower parts of said chambers, a liquid in said conduit and the lower parts of said chambers capable of disengaging, under the effect of an electrolytic current flowing therethrough, two gases such that light flowing upon a mixture of said gases causes them to combine and dissolve into said liquid, and at leastone electrolytic circuit, including at least one electrode in one of said chambers and at least one electrode in the other chamber, for disengaging said gases in a dissymmetric manner in said respective chambers, said structure being pivoted about a non-vertical axis intermediate between said vessels, whereby variations of pressure of the gases in said chambers modify the equilibrium of said structure about said axis.

5. An apparatus of the type described, which comprises, in combination, a hollow structure including two vessels containing each a reaction chamber, at least one of said chambers being adapted to undergo the action of light variations, and at least one conduit between said vessels interconnecting the lower parts of said chambers, a liquid in said conduit and the lower parts of said chambers capable of disengaging, under the efiect of an electrolytic current flowing therethrough, two gases such that light flowing upon a mixture of said gases causes them to combine and dissolve into said liquid, and electrolytic means, including at least one electrode in one of said chambers and at least two electrodes in the other chamber, for causing electrolytic currents of different intensities to flow through said chambers, respectively, so as to disengage said gases in a dissymmetric manner in said chambers, respectively, said structure being pivoted about a non-vertical axis intermediate between said vessels, whereby variations of pressure of the gases in said chambers modify the equilibrium of said structure about said axis.

6. An apparatus of the type described, which comprises, in combination, a hollow structure including two vessels containing each a reaction chamber, at least one of said chambers being adapted to undergo the action of given light variations, and the other being adapted to undergo a different luminous action, and at least one conduit between said vessels interconnecting the lower parts of said chambers, a liquid in said conduit and the lower parts of said chambers capable of disengaging, under the eifect of an electrolytic current flowing therethrough, two gases such thatlight flowing upon a mixture of said gases causes them to combine and dissolve into said liquid. and at least one electrolytic circuit, including at least one electrode in one of said chambers and at least one electrode in the other chamber, for disengaging said gases in said respective chambers, said structure being pivoted about a non-vertical axis intermediate between said vessels, whereby variations of pressure of said gases in said chambers modify the equilibrium of said structure about said axis.

7. An apparatus of the type described, which comprises, in combination, a hollow structure including two vessels containing each a reaction chamber, said chambers being adapted to undergo difl'erent luminous actions, the difference between which is variable with the intensity of a given light that is considered, and at least one conduit between said vessels interconnecting the lower parts of said chambers, a liquid in said conduit and the lower parts of said chambers capable of disengaging, under. the effect of an electrolytic current flowing therethrough, two gases such that light flowing upon a mixture of said gases causes them to combine and dissolve into said liquid, and at least one electrolytic circuit, including at least one electrode in one of said chambers and at least one electrode in the other chamber, for disengaging said gases in said re spective chambers, said structure being pivoted about a non-vertical axis intermediate between said vessels, whereby variations of pressure of said gases in said chambers modify the equilibrium of said structure about said axis.

8. An apparatus of the type described for the control of a given light, which comprises, in combination, a hollow structure including two vessels containing each a reaction chamber, one of said chambers being adapted to undergo a uniform and fixed luminous action and the other being adapted to undergo the action of said given light to be controlled, and at least one conduit between said vessels interconnecting the lower parts of said chambers, a liquid in said conduit and the lower parts of said chambers capable of disengaging, under the effect of an electrolytic current flowing therethrough, two gases such that light flowing upon a mixture of said gases causes them to combine and dissolve into said liquid, and at least one electrolytic circuit, including at least one electrode in one of said chambers, and at least one electrode in the other chamber, for disengaging said gases in said respective chambers, said structure being pivoted about a nonvertical axis intermediate between said vessels, whereby variations of pressure of said gases in said chambers modify the equilibrium of said structure about said axis.

9. An apparatus of the type described, which comprises, in combination, a hollow structure including two vessels containing each a reaction chamber, at least one of said chambers being adapted to undergo the action of light variations, and at least one conduit between said vessels interconnecting the lower parts of said chambers,

means, including at least one electrode in one of said chambers and two electrodes in the other chamber, for causing to flow through said chambers electrolytic currents which produce therein different proportions of said gases, respectively, said structure being pivoted about a non-vertical axis intermediate between said vessels, whereby variations of pressure of said gases in said chambers modify the equilibrium of said structure about said axis.

10. An apparatus of the type described, which comprises, in combination, a hollow structure including two vessels containing each a reaction chamber, at least one of said chambers being adapted to undergo the action of light variations, and at least one conduit between said vessels interconnecting the lower parts of said chambers, an electrolytic liquid, in said conduit and the lower parts of said chambers, capable of disengaging, under the eifect of an electrolytic current flowing therethrough, hydrogen and chlorine which, under the effect of light flowing upon their mixture, combine into hydrochloric acid which dissolves into said liquid, and electrolytic means, including electrodes in said chambers, for causing electrolytic currents to flow through said chambers which produce both chlorine and hydrogen in one of said chambers and only chlorine in the other, said structure being pivoted about a non-vertical axis intermediate between said vessels, whereby variations of pressure of said gases in said chambers produce modifications of the equilibrium of said structure about said axis.

11. An apparatus of the type described, which comprises, in combination, a hollow structure including two vessels including each a reaction chamber, at least one of said chambers being adapted to undergo the action of light variations, and at least one conduit between said vessels interconnecting the lower parts of said chambers, an electrolytic liquid in said conduit and the lower parts of said chambers capable of disengaging, under the efl'ect of an electrolytic current flowing through it, hydrogen and chlorine which. under the effect of light flowing upon their mixture, combine into hydrochloric acid which dissolves into said liquid, and electrolytic means, including electrodes in said chambers, for causing electrolytic currents to flow through said chambers which produce only chlorine in one of said chambers and only hydrogen in the other, said structure being pivoted about a non-vertical axis intermediate between said vessels, whereby variations of pressure of said gases in said chambers produce modifications of the equilibrium of said structure about said axis.

12. An apparatus of the type described, which comprises, in combination, a hollow structure including two vessels provided each with a reaction chamber, at least one of said chambers being adapted to undergo the action of light variations, and at least one conduit between said vessels interconnecting the lower parts of said chambers, a liquid in said conduit and the lower parts of said chambers capable of disengaging, under the effect oi. an electrolytic current flowing therethrough, two gases such that light flowing upon a mixture of said gases causes them to combine and dissolve into said liquid, and electrolytic means, including electrodes in said chambers for disengaging said gases in a dissymmetric manner in said respective chambers, said structure being pivoted as a whole about a non-vertical axis intermediate between said vessels, whereby variations of pressure of the gases in said chambers modify the equilibrium of said structure about said axis, the structure including means for producing an exchange of gases between said chambers.

13. A system according to claim 3 for the control of an electric circuit, further including a switch member for controlling said circuit operatively connected to said pivoted structure.

14. A system according to claim 3, including an anode and a cathode in one of said chambers, and an anode in the other chamber.

15. A system according to claim 3, including only one anode in one of said chambers, and only one cathode in the other chamber.

16. A system according to claim 3, including two parallel conduits interconnecting each the lower parts 01' said chambers together, with vertical portions of said conduits extending under said chambers, said electrodes being mounted in at least some of said vertical portions.

17. A system according to claim 3, in which said structure is formed by a V-shaped tube, said chambers being formed by the upper parts of said V, and said conduit consisting of the point of the V, said electrodes being located close to the vertical median plane of this tube, on either side thereof.

18. A system according to claim 3, in which said structure is i'ormed by a V-shaped tube, said chambers consisting of the upper parts of the branches of the V, with a by-pass interconnecting the lower parts of said branches.

19. A system according to claim 3, in which said structure consists of a straight horizontal tube with a throttle part in its middle arranged to leave a communication between the ends only at the bottom of the tube section.

20. A system according to claim 3, in which said hollow structure is in the form of a circular tube rotating about its center, the chambers corresponding to the opposed ends of said tube, further including a dial, and a pointer carried by said tube and adapted to move in front 01' said dial.

21. A system-according to claim 3, in which there are means for circulating said liquid through said hollow structure.

22. A system according to claim 3, further including means for cutting off said electrolytic means operative by an interruption of the liquid continuity in the apparatus.

23. A system according to claim 4, in which at least one of said electrodes extends downwardly into said liquid in one of said chambers,

'whereby downward displacement of the liquid in said, chamber, under the eiiect of gaseous pressure, automatically cuts oil the electrolytic current.

24. A system according to claim 4, further including means, operative by the flow 01' gas bubbles through said hollow structure, for producing a circulation of said liquid therethrough.

25. A system according to claim 4, further 1mm 'lncludlngmeonsopentlvebythefluwotns bubbles throuah uld hollow structure, to! pdtlvelyoompelllnsaoolumnotllmddtoflovln a dlswntlnuous manner throueh sold hollow structure.

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